Is there a legal way to shut off a car’s airbag?

My wife is very short and when she drives she has to have the seat moved up nearly all the way. I noticed that her chest is within inches of the wheel-mounted airbag. I am afraid that even a trivial bump might set off the airbag and that the impact could be injurious and perhaps fatal.

No dealer I’ve contacted will shut off the airbag, nor could they advise me.

A: Other than taking a chance and finding a mechanic who’s willing to disable it, there is a way to get an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The answer comes from State Patrol Sgt. J.J. Gundermann:

For those of shorter stature requiring them to be seated very close to the steering wheel I understand your concern. I can be very intimidating sitting inches away from an airbag.

However, a couple things to consider. Technology has improved over the years and the rare episodes of an airbag deploying at a low-speed collisions, in my experience, isn’t happening.

I’ve investigated hundreds of collisions in my 13 years, and it takes quite an impact before airbags deploy.